• Analyse, mobilize, and construct knowledge from multiple perspectives to engage in scholarly dialogue and apply to complex problems of practice in such areas as education, leadership, ethics, and research.
• Engage in place-based learning, situated on the territory of the Syilx Okanagan Nation, acknowledging and decolonizing leadership and pedagogy as part of reconciliation for Canada’s histories of colonialism, systemic racism and inequities.
• Reflect on and defend sustained thinking and evaluation around theoretical frameworks, identified problems of educational practice and research activities.
• Demonstrate knowledge and comprehension of educational research practices and methodologies and how these may be thoughtfully used in students’ own contexts in particular, and education in general.
• Build and deepen communication and collaborative skills through engagement in learning communities that will develop over time through the program components.
• Engage in practical research and solutions to navigate complex problems of educational leadership practice that promote positive organizational change for diversity, equity, inclusivity and innovation.
• Lead with critical awareness of knowledges, values, policies and practices that influence and inform leadership through examining personal, professional and organizational ethics and moral purpose.

Year 1

• EDLL 602 (3): Setting Conditions for Transformative Leadership, July to August
• EDUC 600 (3): Research Seminar I: Project Fundamentals, September – December
• EDLL 606 (3): Culturally Responsive Leadership in a Diverse Society, January – April

Year 2

• EDLL 662 (3): Special Topics or Elective Course, July – August
• EDUC 601 (3): Research Seminar II: Research and Project Design, September – December
• EDLL 608 (3): Ethics, Governance and Reform in Contemporary Contexts, January – April

Year 3

• EDUC 698 (6): Research Seminar III: Practice-Engaged Dissertation, Sept – April

The core courses are interdisciplinary and provide grounding for all students in the contemporary and historical educational discourses, perspectives, and traditions as they embark on their studies.

EDLL 602: Setting Conditions for Transformative Leadership

This course applies the theoretical elements of transformative leadership with a focus on establishing conceptual and practical frameworks for engaging in educational leadership for transformation at the levels of self, school, system, and society.

EDLL 606: Culturally Responsive Leadership in a Diverse Society

This course provides the theoretical underpinnings for education leaders to think more deeply and consider issues involved in implementing social justice education and to respond to societal pressures around issues of equity, diversity, and inclusion.

EDUC 600: Research Seminar I: Project Fundamentals

An introductory course examining inquiry frameworks as a mode of investigation. It examines various issues, methods and techniques used in educational research. Consideration is given to research strategies and techniques and the selection of research questions appropriate to a range of issues facing scholar-practitioners.

EDLL 662: Special Topics

This course aims to address an emerging, novel, or specialized issue/topic in educational leadership not addressed in the general graduate course offerings. 

EDLL 608: Ethics, Governance and Reform in Contemporary Contexts

Co-investigation of the ethical values, educational aims, and conditions of political legitimacy of educational institutions in the early 21^st century. Normative and descriptive accounts of these institutions are examined in relation to contemporary social problems (and possible solutions) with an orientation to their implications for public policy and leadership-in-practice.

EDUC 601: Research Seminar II: Research and Project Design

Designed to help students prepare the components of their research proposal. Research tools and techniques commonly used for researching leadership and organizational improvement practices, including research ethics will guide the course design.

EDLL 698: Research Seminar III: Practice-Engaged Dissertation

Building on course work completed during the doctoral program, this course supports students in the development and carrying out of their Practice-Based Dissertation and writing their dissertation in practice.  It provides scaffolding for research processes and writing components of developing and completing their dissertation of their in-situ Practice-Based Dissertation that will meet or exceed the EdD graduate program.

EDLL 699: Practice-Based Dissertation

Students must maintain continuous registration in the Practice-Based Dissertation (EDLL 699) until degree completion.

The Collaborative Supervisory Committee (CSC) will be comprised of at least three members (faculty supervisor, field mentor and course instructor).  Students will be assigned a supervisor during year one as students identify their research topic and find alignment with research expertise and interests of faculty.

The Practice-Based Dissertation to be developed throughout Year 3 of the program provides opportunity for students to intensively study a problem or set of circumstances embedded in their own practice, analysed within relevant research literature and may include carrying out research in practice. This project is a rigorous, intensive application of a field-based analysis and/or implementation of a structural change, and the research conducted will contribute or lead to: (1) professional innovation and creative excellence, (2) exemplary professional practice, and/or (3) the significant development of professional practice.

There are many forms that the Practice-Based Dissertation can take within the student’s organizational context including but not limited to:

• A research project that draws on organizational data to answer a specific research question that leads to organizational improvement
• A deep evaluation of an organizational project, program, or intervention that results in recommendations for change processes and further development
• The development or design of a new educational program, intervention or strategy resulting from a systematic review of evidence

Your field mentor is someone who has expertise related to the field of your problem of practice. Field mentors offers guidance, advice, wisdom through their time and reflections as they support your research in the field. The role is collegial and offers critical friendship as they share time and their expertise (approximately one to two hours per month). It also provides your mentor an opportunity to grow their own understanding in the topics that you and your mentor share. The relationship is collegial and intended to be a reciprocal learning experience.

Students need to identify a field mentor at time of application. Field mentors will:

• support students in the field as needed and as appropriate, serving as an advisor and critical friend
• attend the Practice-Based Dissertation proposal presentations, provide input and feedback on student’s progress as a scholar-practitioner in the field
• attend the Practice-Based Dissertation presentations and provide valuable input and recommendations.

Choosing a Field Mentor

The Field Mentor should be someone who is familiar with your area of study as they will provide valuable input and recommendations. They have expertise related to the field of your problem of practice. They do not need to have a PhD or EdD or graduate degree. Your Field Mentor should be someone who you can relate to and who is willing to share their own challenges and experiences. The relationship between the Field Mentor and the student will not be personal, but rather built on professionalism and reciprocity.

Changing your Field Mentor

It is not advisable to change your Field Mentor once you begin the program. If it becomes necessary for a student to change committee members during the program the student should meet with the Program Manager.

Supports for Field Mentor

The field mentor works closely with other members of the Collaborative Supervisory Committee (including the supervisor and course instructor(s)), and will also be supported by the EdD Academic Lead and Program Manager.

Frequently Asked Questions

A list of frequently asked questions regarding the position of the Field Mentor and their roles and responsibilities has been compiled.

FAQ

Conflict of Interest

The relationship between the Field Mentor and the student is an academic one. Where other relationships exist or develop that might give the appearance of conflict of interest, they must be immediately reported to the EdD Faculty Lead and Program Manager who will consult with the Director of Graduate Programs or Associate Dean of the College of Graduate Studies, if the situation is unable to be resolved within OSE.

• A master’s degree (or equivalent) from an approved institution, with clear evidence of research ability or potential and a minimum overall average in the B+ grade range (76-79% at UBC) in all graduate courses.
  • The master’s degree does not need to be thesis-based.
  • The master’s degree must be completed prior to the application due date. 
• Additionally, the Okanagan School of Education normally requires that applicants have at least five years’ work experience.

MORE INFORMATION

Visit the UBC Okanagan Academic Calendar* for full admission and program requirements; the calendar is a comprehensive guide to all programs, courses, services and academic policies at the University of British Columbia.

* In case of a discrepancy between this webpage and the UBC Calendar, the UBC Calendar entry will be held to be correct.

• A credential deemed academically equivalent to an approved Canadian two-year master’s degree and who demonstrate superior academic standing. Specific minimum admission requirements for graduates of different countries are listed in the International Student Evaluation Manual.
  • The master’s degree does not need to be thesis-based.
  • The master’s degree must be completed prior to the application due date. 
• Additionally, the Okanagan School of Education normally requires that applicants have at least five years’ work experience.

Students who are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents must apply for a study permit (student visa) to enter Canada. Applications can be made through any Canadian Consulate or High Commission.

English Language Proficiency Requirement

Applicants from a university outside Canada at which English is not the primary language of instruction must present evidence of competency to pursue studies in the English language prior to being extended an offer of admission. Acceptable English language proficiency tests for applicants to graduate studies are:

• CAEL (Canadian Academic English Language): minimum overall score of 70, with no section score less than 60; or
• Cambridge English Qualifications: C1 Advanced (Certificate in Advanced English) or C2 Proficiency (Certificate of Proficiency in English) with a minimum overall score of 180, with no section score less than 176; or
• CEL (UBC Certificate in English Language): 75% in each component of the 600-level; or
• Duolingo English¹: minimum overall score of 125, with no section score less than 115; or
• IELTS (International English Language Testing Service) Academic: minimum overall band score of 6.5, with no individual score less than 6.0; or
• MET (Michigan English Test) 4-skill test: minimum overall score of 64, with no section score less than 59; or
• PTE (Pearson) Academic: minimum overall score of 65, with no section score less than 60; or
• TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) iBT: 90 overall with a minimum score of 22 in Reading & Listening and a minimum score of 21 in Writing & Speaking (Internet version); minimum score of 22 in Reading & Listening and a minimum score of 21 in Writing (paper version). TOEFL MyBest Scores that meet the above minimum scores are acceptable as meeting the English language test requirements; or
• TOEFL Essentials¹: 10 overall, with no section score less than 8.5. MyBest Scores that meet the above minimum scores are acceptable as meeting the English test requirements.

¹These tests will be accepted provisionally through 2025 Summer.

MORE INFORMATION

Visit the UBC Okanagan Academic Calendar* for full admission and program requirements; the calendar is a comprehensive guide to all programs, courses, services and academic policies at the University of British Columbia.

* In case of a discrepancy between this webpage and the UBC Calendar, the UBC Calendar entry will be held to be correct.